One exception has been made to this list: Ray Borque. The reason he has been left off this list is because he has been regarded by many experts, players, coaches and fans as the greatest defender of this era. So with the being said, here are the top ten greatest defenseman of the last twenty eight years not named Ray Borque,
Honorable Mention: Larry Murphy (Kings 1980-81-1983-84, Capitals 1983-84-1988-89, North Stars 1988-89-1990-91, Penguins 1991-92-1994-95, Maple Leafs 1995-96-1996-97, Red Wings 1996-97-2000-01), Drew Doughty (Kings 2008-09-Present), Brent Burns (Wild 2005-06-2010-11, Sharks 2011-12-Present), Shea Weber (Predators 2005-06-2015-16, Canadiens 2016-17-present)
10. Duncan Keith (Blackhawks 2005-06-Present: 833 Games Played, 84 Goals, 374 Assists, 458 Points, 491 PIM)
This guy is one of the most talented all around players in the game right now. He's a great skater, has the fantastic ability to close the gap between him and the boards. He's a great playmaker as well, as his 374 assists will be evident of that. As far as his overall defensive game goes, he's won the Norris trophy twice, he's finished in the top ten in voting four times. That's a statement to how well his overall game is on the back end. He won three Stanley Cups with the Hawks, including snagging the Conn Smyth Trophy as MVP of the playoffs in 2015. All of this championship run that started with the Hawks got going in 2008, a year when Keith really started taking his game to a whole different level.
He's got the talent level to play in all situations, powerplay, penalty kill and even strength. Sure he may not be the most lethal man to use on the man advantage in the Hawks lineup, but he's still got the skills to be able to move the puck quickly enough to get it to the high powered Hawks forwards. 2010 was the best year, at least on offense for Keith, he scored 14 goals, 55 assists and 69 points, all career highs, at least to this point. Keith is a four time All-Star (2008, 2011, 2015, 2017), he's been named to the First All-Star Team twice (2010, 2014). Keith has won the Norris Trophy twice (2010, 2014) and the Conn Smythe Trophy once (2015). He also has three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013, 2015) and two Olympic gold medals (2010, 2014).
9. Zdeno Chara (Islanders 1997-98-2000-01, Senators 2001-02-2005-06, Bruins 2006-07-Present: 1,274 Games Played, 178 Goals, 397 Assists, 575 Points, 1,720 PIM)
Took a little while for him to become established, but the biggest man to ever step foot on the ice in the NHL has really found his game. Standing at 6'9 and weighing at 250 pounds, Chara is the biggest person to ever play in the NHL. Oh yeah, he's also the hardest shooting player that the NHL has ever seen, or produced. His shot has come in clocked at 108.8, the record he set at the NHL skills competition back in 2012. But there's more to Chara's game then just his hard shot. When he first broke into the NHL with the Islanders in 1997, he was big, could hit and on occasion fight, but that was really about all Chara had to work with. His offensive gifts didn't really come into full bloom until he became a member of the Ottawa Senators. Now that he's been able to settle in with his current surroundings in Boston, he has really developed not only an all around game but become a true leader of this Bruins team.
It's safe to say that Chara's had himself a pretty nice career as far as awards go. In his career, Chara has played in NHL All-Star Game in 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012. He was named to the NHL First All-Star Team in 2004, 2009, and 2014, and he was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2012. Chara won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2009, while being named a finalist in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2014. He's got his name on the Stanley Cup in 2011, as the leader of the Boston Bruins.
8. Scott Niedermayer (Devils 1991-92-2003-04, Ducks 2005-06-2009-10: 1,263 Games, 172 Goals, 568 Assists, 740 Points, 784 PIM)
Probably one of the greatest skating defensemen I've ever watched play was Scott Niedermayer. When you mention the name Scott Neidermayer, two things come to mind right away. One was his skating style. The other was the end to end rush goal he scored in game two of the finals against the Detroit Red Wings in 1995. Again, he may not have put up super scoring numbers like Paul Coffey, a guy who he's often been compared to, he is still considered by most to be a very offensive defenseman. He often played his best games against top opposition, and Niedermayer is regarded as one of the top offensive defencemen of his generation and as one of the game's greatest winners. He was a great skater, had a decent shot and was a fantastic passer. Not only was he good on the offensive side of the game, he was a very solid defender in his own right, as he was a finalist for the Norris Trophy eight times.
Not only do the numbers speak for themselves, I think so to does the hardware. Niedermayer is the only player in hockey history to win every major contemporary North American and International Competitive titles: the Memorial Cup, World Junior championship, Stanley Cup (1995, 2000, and 2003 with Devils, 2007 with Anaheim), World Championship, World Cup and Olympic Games. But wait, there's more. He was named to the 1992–93 NHL all rookie team, he was a Second Team All-Star (1997–98) and a First Team All-Star (2003–04, 2005–06, and 2006–07). Her played in the 1998, 2001, 2004, 2008, and 2009 All Star Game. Neidermayer won the Norris Memorial Trophy in 2003–04 and Conn Smythe Trophy in 2007. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013.
7. Chris Chelios (Canadiens 1983-84-1989-90, Blackhawks 1990-91-1998-99, Red Wings 1998-99-2008-09, Thrashers 2009-10: 1,651 Games played, 185 Goals, 763 Assists, 948 Points, 2,891 PIM)
There's only two men in the history of the game of hockey to have played 26 seasons in the NHL, Gordie Howe and Chris Chelios. Chelios was able to play in the big leagues until he was 48 years old, an incredible number when you sit back and really look at it. The guy was solid at both ends of the ice. His goal scoring days came early in his career, his best offensive output was a 20 goal season with Montreal in 1987-88. Chelios set a career high in points with 73 in 1993 while playing wit the Hawks in 1993. He registered 58 assists twice in his career with the Hawks in 93 and then again in 96. After that 1995-96 season, Chelios started to see a drop off in his offensive production, but that didn't mean his game went down the drain. He was still a very good defender, often causing havoc for the opposition who tried to get a scoring chance against his team. Besides his play at the NHL level, Chelios has spent plenty of time representing his home country on an international level. He played in two World Junior Championships, two World Cup of Hockey tournaments, three Canada Cups and four Winter Olympics.
He also has come to collect some pretty impressive awards during his career as well. He was named to the All-Rookie team in 1985, he played in the NHL All Star game in 1985, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2002. Chelios has a Stanley Cup ring, which he won with the Habs in 1986. He was named to the First All-Star Team in 1989, 1993, 1995, 1996, and 2002. To go along with that, Chelios was named to the Second All-Star Team in 1991 and 1997. To show how good of a defender he was, Chelios won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 1989, 1993, and 1996. He had a very lengthy career and was one of the best all around defenders in the game.
6. Rob Blake (Kings 1989-90-2000-01, Avalanche 2000-01-2005-06, Kings 2006-07-2007-08, Sharks 2008-09-2009-10: 1,270 Games Played, 240 Goals, 537 Assists, 777 Points, 1,679 PIM)
He wasn't as high an offensive point producer as a guy like Chelios was, but man could Rob Blake play defense. Oh yeah he could hit too. That's what really helped get Blake to this NHL level, He was a fantastic hip checker, more so in his earlier days with the Kings. He did have a goal scoring upside, as Blake did hit the twenty goal mark twice with the Kings, first in 1994 then again in 1998. He showed a solid maturity when the Kings named him captain when they traded away Wayne Gretzky. It showed just how much faith the Kings had in him to be able to help lead their hockey club. He helped them out and lead them until the Kings, who were strapped for cash, traded Blake to the Avalanche, where he was able to win a cup. Blake could do a little bit of everything during his career, he could score, hit, fight and play defense. He was a presence on the ice and was able to strike fear into the hearts of the guys he played against.
Blake played well for his country on an international level as well. He had 26 points in 56 games played spread out between five World Championship, a world cup of hockey and three Olympics. Blake had picked up some individual honors during his playing career as well. He was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1991, and played in the All-Star Game in 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. Blake was named to the First All-Star Team in 1998 and the Second All-Star Team in 2000, 2001, and 2002. Finally he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 1998. Blake had an all around game to him. He didn't excel in one area over another he had a very balanced game to him, which is what made him so valuable to the Kings and Avs franchises.
5. Brian Leetch (Rangers 1987-88-2003-04, Maple Leafs 2003-04, Bruins 2005-06: 1,205 Games Played, 247 Goals, 781 Assists, 1,028 Points, 571 PIM)
Leetch has gone down as one of the greatest American born blueliners to ever step foot on the ice. He could beat you with a good defensive play, or an equally as good offensive rush. One of the big things that stood out about Brian's game was how great a skater he was. Leetch had a touch and a vision with the puck that so few blueliners had in the history of the game. His best offensive year came in 1991-92 when Leetch posted 22 goals, a career high 80 assists and a career high in 102 points. Six times in his career he posted 70 or more points in a year, two of those years he finished in the 80 point range and he had the one 100 point season. He scored 20 or more goals in a year five times during his career. Ten times during his career he had 40 or more assists in a season. Some of those offensive numbers are eye popping. He had great offensive talent, to go along with playing a solid defensive game as well. Defensively he overcame relatively small size with impeccable timing and positioning. He was never adverse to the physical game either. He truly was one of the all time great defensemen.
Leetch has his name in the record books twice. He has the records for most goals by a rookie defenseman, with 23, that he scored during the 1988–89 season. He's also the First American-born Conn Smythe Trophy award winner, which he won when the Rangers won the Cup in 1994. Besides the Conn Smyth trophy, Leetch has racked up some other major individual awards in his career. He won an Olympic silver medal in 2002 and was named to theOlympic Tournament All-Star Team that year. Leetch won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 1992 and 1997, he was a First Team All-Star in 1992 and 1997, while being named a Second Team All-Star in 1991, 1994, and 1996. Leetch won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1989 and named to the All-Rookie Team that same year. Leetch also played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, and 2003
4. Chris Pronger (Whalers 1993-94-1994-95, Blues 1995-96-2003-04, Oilers 2005-06, Ducks 2006-07-2008-09, Flyers 2009-10-2011-12: 1,167 Games Played, 157 Goals, 541 Assists, 698 Points, 1,590 PIM)
There are few who displayed better leadership skills from the blueline during their career then Chris Pronger. He could quarterback a power play. He could make a first pass out of the zone to get the offense going as good as anybody in the game. He was a powerful skater who could easily join the rush and seemingly had enough stamina to play and play and play. Oh yeah, Pronger could change the momentum of a game with his physical skills, or his physical presence. His first couple of years in the league, Pronger didn't look like he could hang much in the league. The trade from Hartford to St. Louis, as compensation for the Whalers signing Brendan Shanahan, would prove to do wonders for the big blueliner. That and getting paired up with coach Mike Keenan. Pronger responded well to Keenan's attitude and style and his career took off. He may not have put up the high powered scoring numbers as some of his counterparts, his single season high in points was 62 in 2000. Pronger wasn't paid to put up points, he was paid to play a strong defensive game, which he did oh so well. He had that presence about him that would strike fear into the hearts of the opposition. That's why Pronger was valued as high as he was.
By the time all was said and done, Pronger had a pretty nice trophy case put together at home. Pronger was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1994, and he managed to play in NHL All-Star Game in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2008. He won James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2000 as well as the Hart Trophy that same year. He was the first defenseman to pull that off since Bobby Orr in 1972. Pronger was named to the First All-Star Team in 2000 and the Second All-Star Team in 1998, 2004, and 2007. Pronger won an Olympic Gold Medal in 2002 and 2010 with Team Canada and a Stanley Cup in 2007 with the Anaheim Ducks. Pronger capped this off with induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.
3. Al MacInnis (Flames 1981-82-1993-94, Blues 1994-95-2003-04: 1,416 Games Played, 340 Goals 934 Assists, 1,274 Points, 1,511 PIM)
Two Words: The Shot. That's what got Al MacInnis into the NHL in the first place was his booming slap shot. Not too many guys in the history of the game could fire a slap shot like MacInnnis could, at least not from the blueline. That shot was used as a valuable weapon for most of his career. Case in point. January 17, 1984, while MacInnis was playing with the Flames, they were in St. Louis playing the Bluers. MacInnis took a slapshot from just outside the Blues' zone that struck goaltender Mike Liut on the mask. The shot split Liut's helmet while the puck fell into the net for a goal. That right there shows how much of an impact that shot was. The power of his shot, and the fear it inspired in his opposition, led to MacInnis' success as an offensive-defenceman, especially as a threat on the power play. Thankfully for Al, he was able to turn things around, especially when he went to the Blues in 1994, that he became a way better defender. By the time his career was over, he had become one of the best all around defenders that the game has ever seen. He wasn't as good of a hitter as Blues teammate Chris Pronger but he was just as reliable in his own end of the ice.
When MacInnis finished his career, he had his name put into league annals quite nicely. He was named to the First Team All-Star in 1989–90, 1990–91, 1998–99, and 2002–03. He was named to the Second Team All-Star in 1986–87, 1988–89, and 1993–94. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy with the Flames in 1989, the same year he won his only Stanley Cup. MacInnis was named the winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 1998–99. His style of play had changed over the course of his career, but still he maintained a very high level of performance that got him into the Hall of Fame in 2007.
2. Scott Stevens (Capitals 1982-83-1989-90, Blues 1990-91, Devils 1991-92-2003-04: 1,653 Games Played, 196 Goals, 712 Assists, 908 Points, 2,785 PIM)
One of the greatest open ice hitting defenseman to ever play the game of hockey, there was no better hitter from the blueline in this generation then Scott Stevens. Sure he had some good years in terms of point production in the NHL. He had one good offensive year with the Devils, that being 1994 where he had 60 assists and 78 points, but his better offensive days were early in his career with the Washington Capitals. When people think of Stevens, they remember him mostly for his days roaming the blueline with the Devils. Stevens was the longest reigning captain in Devils history, having a calming influence on many players who wore the Devils sweater. Oh yeah, there was also the hitting thing. Stevens made a living in this league for his defensive play and his thundering body checks, often leveling players who crossed an open part of the ice with their heads down. Among the victims of Stevens' body checks were Slava Kozlov, Eric Lindros, Paul Kariya, Shane Willis and Ron Francis. The hits on Lindros, Kozlov and Karyia during the playoffs are stuff of legend. Because of those hits, among others, Stevens earned the nickname "Captain Crunch"
Stevens also had a decent trophy case to go along with his Hall of Fame career. Stevens was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1983 and played in the All-Star Game in 1985, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003. Stevens was named to the First All-Star Team in 1988, 1994 and the Second All-Star Team in 1992, 1997, and 2001. He won the Stanley Cup in 1995, 2000, and 2003, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2000. To cap this off Stevens was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. There was no better hitter from the blueline then Stevens.
1. Nicklas Lidstrom (Red Wings 1991-92-2011-12: 1,564 Games Played, 264 Goals, 878 Assists, 1,142 Points, 514 PIM)
Sure he wasn't the most punishing hitter, but there was no better all around defensemen to play over the last 28 seasons then Nick Lidstrom. He had a deft scoring touch, as his 264 goals would indicate. His best attribute, from an offensive perspective was his passing and vision on the ice. You don't get 878 assists in your career without great vision. Its not just those numbers that made him great. It's all the little things that add up to one great player. He can make the smart play and was almost never out of position. His biggest strength is his positioning and not overexerting himself. He was one of the smartest, most humble hockey players to ever step foot on the ice in the worlds greatest league. Lidstrom was the second European-born captain of a Stanley Cup winning team (the first being Johnny Gottselig of the 1938 Chicago Blackhawks), as well as the first European player named playoff MVP. Lidström is also the all-time leader in games played with only one NHL team and by a European-born player.
There's plenty of hardware that Lidstrom can add to his trophy case at home. Lidstrom was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1992. Her has his name etched on the Stanley Cup four times: 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008. Lidstrom was a twelve-time NHL All-Star (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011).He was a Ten-time NHL First All-Star Team member (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011) and a Two-time NHL Second All-Star Team member (2009, 2010). He won the Norris Trophy seven times (2001-2003, 2006-2008, 2011), and won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2002. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2915. There was nobody any better then Nick Lidstrom
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